After purchasing a padded pouch for my ibook (i feel so cool, i am part of the cult), I met up with Maryam who chaperoned a trip to a string shop so i could try out some violins.

Enter Louis Mendes

For the next 7 Days I will Celebrate the release of Raising Victor Vargas on DVD



You can buy it here, and see why those who have seen it enjoy it so much. A simple story of first love set in New York's Lower East Side -- another neighborhood whihc is facing gentrification. But pay attention to the otehr story of Victor's family -- Grandmother/guardian, younger brother and sister.

Photo By Richard Louissaint

I have to thank Mike and Aisha for making my weeklong slump a little more bearable. Mike for helping me buy my first ibook and providing "free" applications at his nicely hooked up home network. And to Aisha for housing me this past weekend in DC-- giving me grilled food, liquor, and a more interesting tour of DC's Geargetown and such.

They are the epitomine of friendship, as is Paul who drove me to my abandoned car after we got back power in NYC.

I AM BROKE

Been living check-to-check for so long
nothing great has happened yet

NO MONEY/NO CLEARED CHECK
SO THIS WEEKEND NO BJORK CONCERT
NO DC TRIP
NOTHING

My Flo Brown Video Stills

Updated photo section

What's the point of keeping a blog?

-- to highlight my insecurities and see me mope at least once a week
-- to hear about all my failures with women and how i don't waht to deal with any new women in my life unless they are interested in me or can give me a job.
-- to show how a talented person can stay broke and be bad at hustling


Until something great happens to me why should i put anything up. I'm just really tired.

The players are, Mark, Kenji, Blue and me. With special guest appearances by my twin, and a lot of Brooklyn.

As I sat at the Union Square Barnes & Nobles’ café I couldn’t help but notice the cute DC female sitting at the table to the north-left of me. She sat with some random dude who was discussing something in regards to what she could try to do. Her cute little afro was held together with a hair band, which made it stick out mainly in the back.

I noticed that she held a book I had recently finished reading-- Interpreter of Maladies; and I mouthed by accident to her that “I read it”. She noticed me and I went back to my negative organizing.

It happened after she left. My eyes followed her as she disappeared into the escalators. The lights began to flicker and then everything stopped. While I walked down the frozen escalators, my first thought was that the bookstore had shorted itself out. My exit proved otherwise as businesses to the right and left of me were missing bright lights.

My next move was finding some people I know and find out what was going, so I headed the Source office building, which had already begun filtering out its residents. The over-priced deli next door began selling water even as their space resembled a dark cave.

I found Blue, who like many of the employees had gone out for lunch and returned to streets steadily filling up with confused people. After standing around aimlessly listening to people’s conversations about what they “heard” was going down, I followed Blue up the stairs and into the office. Eleven floors later, and I realize I am somewhat out of shape. But unlike Blue, I didn’t need to take a breather at the seventh floor.

The office was still packed with employees, including Mark, who upon discussion decided to take the walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. Before leaving I called Pops, who as usual was calm as a quiet storm. Joined by Queens inhabitants Blue and I, the Atlanta native headed downtown under my directions.

I cursed my cell phone service because it was coming in and out as a result of communication issues.

The journey to Brooklyn was simple albeit hot, long and crowded. “Regular” folks were helping to direct traffic with all the signals being out; Lots of eye candy braved the long walks; and my lack of a camera was apparent as photographers were out in full force shooting.

It was nightfall by the time we passed Clinton Hill, and reached Kenji’s crib in Bed-Stuy. Before our arrival, we had stopped off at a bodega to get some water and people were out, candles were lit, and grills were cooking meat before it spoiled. Some people got smoked out, Blue fell asleep, and we proceeded to venture out into Fort Greene that same night.

We woke up Friday, and my back felt the effects of sleeping on the hard ass sofa/futon. Kenji once again remarked sarcastically, “Well, another day with power, guys,” as he turned on the one portable radio he owned. Parts of Manhattan and New York State already had power. We speculated that the “with money” parts were getting power first. (Turns out my friend in Brooklyn Heights had power at 3 am, Friday morning.)

Once again all four of us, this time, descended to downtown. My twin was on Fulton at a café with two cute female friends of his who my people happened to know also. My twin offered his camera after hearing I was with out one since the beginning of the blackout. What i got was a point and shoot since his slr’s battery was depleted.

In Brooklyn Heights businesses were bustling, people were waiting on line for the movie theater to open again *snicker*, and we ate pizza and ice cream.

To make a long story a bit shorter. We walked back to Bed-Stuy; the power was back on; we watched Cody Banks on DVD; and me and Blue went to Queens by bus since train service needed to be prepped for a couple of hours first.

I have been working on my Blackout experience for the past couple of days but i will put it up when i get through with it.

This weekend I told koku (yes a woman) i need a break from hanging around and talking with my female "friends". The gender differences can come out when u least expected and ur like "ehh." Being around my male peeps, recently has made me realize that i do need some of that bonding-- it's been so long.

And that being around women that are only friends has frustrated me so, especially ones that i didn't have friendships with in the beginning. It reminds me of how i have fared so poorly in the dating/relationship department.

And a single guy doesn't always wanna hear women and their men woos, especially if he sees himself as a good catch. Nor does a single guy like to hear other dudes remark about how they always see him with some pretty girl who he is not dealing with in any other way but a friendship or "just cool."

I stopped long ago being friends with women just in hopes of them seeing i was interested in them. So it's not that. I think most of my friendships are pretty platonic.

I dunno just venting.

It was priceless

Meeting Mike @ B&H and buying a 300 4X6 capacity photo album: 19.50

Chatting and eating a turkey sandwich at Starbucks: 5.95

Going to Bryant Park for a free screening of 2001 Odyessey and bumping into an old college mate with big boobies and being asked if i was an Elvis fan because they were going to show Jailhouse Rock. The confused/upset expression on Mike's face: Priceless

By the way, there was a tall white dude "rubbing" his black girl's ass "like a genie lamp", accodring to Dale. But wow her behind was that shapely and she was short and cute.

How Ironic for me that i drive my car to Philly, DC, and all over the tri-state area and have not one incident; But i park by York College where i normally do to go to church and come back to find all my locks up, and my radio, CDs, my stash of quarters, and unattached radio face gone.

All I could do was turn on my air conditioner, clean up the floor of displaced papers, and drive home.

http://www.nypost.com/news/news.htm

So poor Rich is stranded in NYC with nothing to do..he's a computer head so i know he's aching...
No movies...no music....

I guess this was a sign he needs to sit down and write.

I got a incoherent message from our electric forlorn friend..but in true Louissant style..i couldn't understand a word he said over those loud folks in the background...when i tried to call back...his line was busy....how bout some call waiting?

Photo by Stacy Williams

Photo Essay Subject #3 - The Author

I must say, after today, i don't truly believe i write anymore. At least i feel like i haven't for a very long time.

As I sat in Kenji's apartment in Bed-Stuy , i saw him brainstorm on one book he was working on, finish up a short autobiographical account of him finding an organizer on a train (?) his attempt to be a good Samaritan, and explain the rigors of trying to work on books. His dedication is impressive.

So i must revert back to me... I miss writing, but my "at home" habits on my computers consist of anything but working on my unfinished fiction. I have told myself, "If I get a laptop, preferably a Mac, I could go anywhere and concentrate on writing." The question is would I really?

I get worried at times, because people physically see my photography so my writing is rarely a part of conversations, except with writers who remember that I used to write.

My conundrum is the matter of unfinished works and my many serious interests. As Kenji put it, it’s tough, and you may have to kind of fit yourself into one area slightly to make some progression monetarily. Kenji hasn’t stopped shooting, but writing is what has been handed to him as his way to make a living, so he has gone with it and seems to still care about after all these years...

Dedicated to all The Weed Smokers Just Tryin' to Live

And please support this artist

This song is for u

Disclaimer: I have never ingested this substance at any point in my life.

The Roots Versus MIT (sort of)

I didn't know about this, but how interesting

http://www-tech.mit.edu/V121/N22/22ATO.22n.html

Anyhow, as i embark on another two weeks of downtime I must reflect on my bornday yesterday which was a bit more "fanfarish". Since I had been promised a movie by my friend Ny I couldn't escape that and she would kick my ass.

Afterwards, I dedcided to make a call to Mark at the Source which landed me at the Lemon eating and drinking with some of my writing folks -- kenji, Murph, J, and Dat from KING. To realize where we have come from to where we are at now was a really eye-opening thing. From lowly interns at Vibe and other places to Editors and freelancers.

A toast was made and i said with certainty (i hope), "To getting to where we wanna be." Though we are farther along in where we wanna be, we are still struggling to get to that "place." But isn't life about the journey anyhow?

I must thank, even though someone said i always add numbers to things, those i recieved a bornday greeting from without a mention from me, including my girl Shani (*HUGS*), DJ Freedomchild (now my Beacon's Best collection is complete), Robyn, Farentz, Yeyete, Grandmere, Aunt Nonosh, and SRW (:P).

Birthday Blues

Photo by Greg Gorman

Anyway my bornday is in a few minutes, I could do with out the fanfare i had to deal with today from my parents, goddaughter, grandmother, and aunt. all i wanted to do today is watch the rest of my Bronx Tale DVD and try to install a new CD burner to the monster computer -- whihc has proven to be a pain in da ass. Screw WIN ME!


Teh hardest i ever celebrated a birthday was in my quarter life (25) with the begining of my twists and a nice little get together at a lounge in LES. But last year i retreated to a rented dark room for a couple of hours and then hit up the park by the East River in Queens.

I seem to like my day to come and go. I appreciate but i tend to feel somber- the single, still living at home guy. whoopie!
But i guess i have a lot of people in my corner...

Once again i wanna cut the fat in my life some more, some folks don't deserve me in their life. If u don't trust me somewhat keep it to yourself and take what i say at face value buggers.

Now begins another two weeks of trying to be productive until i work again.

And YEAH GREGORY HINDS IS DEAD AT 57. A Figure who i always respected who did live a full life. He was 30 years older than me.

Flo gets ready for the cameras By Me

It’s Pet Peeve time

I, at times, wanna just cut the fat with who allow into my life. I consider most people now to be a positive influence on my life, but on the same end there are those who i feel "drain" me in one way or another; Those who haven't really embraced me for me. Those who i can't call a friend or someone i am interested in. Those "in-betweens" that i am not sure about having in my circles; why they interact with me; why i feel like i am getting nothing out of having them there.

And yes we are getting something in return even in friendships. It's no different than any kind of interpersonal relationship. Intimate relationship --- you get PDA, sex, love, support, exchange of thoughts and ideas, trust. Friendship-- support, love, exchange of thoughts, trust, can lead to sex (LOL). Acquaintance -- you get minimal exchange of ideas, hang out partner, and hook ups, some trust. "In-betweens" -- exchange can be one way, walls are hella high, they seem not to trust u and/or vice versa, or their agenda is very fuzzy (this isn’t out of paranoia by the way).

So now I also can’t deal with much from people who use the “excuse” “we’re different” to justify not dealing with folks on any level. I don’t think we always need yes people or to have same opinions all the time. It would get boring and unrealistic. EMBRACE DIFFERENCES – Damn US is the last place to expect this from. *Sigh*

Most of all, I “hate” people who don’t COMMUNICATE! Get your weight up and “grow up.”

As for me I am just trying to GET GROWN.

Funeral Talk

Me sort of smiling by Koku

well one of my cd burners is on the fritz -- the one connected to the computer with all my video and mp3 files. But then the burner is liek a two-year old 4X speed (how archaic).

But otherwise, been working. These two weeks of freelancing always seem so long. Then that gap of free time comes and it's like... what to do?

And oh yes Virgin is has been having their annual $10 sale and i bought a Bronx Tale and Crooklyn on DVD.

And Raising Victor Vargas Comes to DVD August 26! Preorder here.

The Proof is in the Photos


Me wearing Pinky's hat
Photos by Steve G.

My week recap since i was too busy and lazy to update during the week: Source 15th anniversary party, Rare Form party, seeing Dirty Pretty Things with someone from my past, working, garnering four new magazines to read and look at including the Communication Arts 2003 Photo Annual, Fader's Photography issue with photos of their contributors like Marc Baptiste (him and his twin daughters yay!), OneWorld, and the first Source issue i worked on as a researcher (Sept. 2003).

This weekend has been my first quiet one in a long time, since last week i was in Philly shooting stills for a music video shoot for her, who does remind me of pinky in some ways-- aside from the multi-colored locs. 11 rolls/hole in my pocket are waiting for me to pick up next week.

I did see Pirates of the Carribean today, (yeah Pinky Depp is good in it), fun movie.

As for Pinky, i kind of felt that we would end up being friends. Distance is a b**ch and when a situation was started with distance already built in it's even harder. Do i wish things turned out differently... a little. But then this is now and we may or may not be meant to end up that way. I may end up meeting another dope someone as she may or may have. That's life.

Yet she has taught me that many things i wanted in someone were just surface. In the long run, I "need" someone who is open, cool ass, nice breasts, etc. -- my buddy. Them being creative or having certain status is all fleeting. If they can't accept me fully and chat with me without all their hang ups in play, then they were not what i needed.

But let me formally welcome pen pal Pinky. (You're letter better be as good as mine).

On a bad note...


A family friend who lives on our block, lost her sister yesterday to domestic violence. From what i was told, the sister's husband called 911 to say his wife was dead. They allegedly got into an argument and he killed her.

R.I.P.